#PIECHART EP 001 SHINES LIGHT ON CHILDREN OF ZEUS, BLACK JOSH, FUMEZ

The Manchester music scene is in a special period. It is ready to cement its place as one of the top music cities in the UK, especially for the rap and grime, with many new artists, radio stations (us!) and music platforms rising at an alarming rate. After a big 2016, it appears as though many Manchester artists are ready to take 2017 as theirs with many big releases already out in January. As well as Manchester tunes, we take a look at releases by artists from other cities and abroad to put together our very first Pie Chart.

Children of Zeus – Crown

Fresh from a huge performance at the Warehouse Project in December, Manchester Kings Tyler Daley & KonnyKon (Children of Zeus) come through with a heartfelt hip hop hymn of appreciation and contentment, accompanied by a video featuring a star studded selection of Manchester music royalty. A truly beautiful song with an old school aesthetic, most definitely not to be slept on.

PK Brako ft. Black Josh – Poison

Pie Radio’s own PK Brako has been sitting on this track for over a year, and yet to all who have heard it on radio and at events, it sounds completely fresh. Finally, it got a video release this January. This incredibly unique track is a complete twist of an old classic, drawing influence from UK Garage and early UK Grime. With vocals from Levelz and Blah Records mic man Black Josh, Poison is definitely a track to watch.

Ransom FA ft. Merky Ace – Wishing

Scotland’s Ransom FA is definitely a force to be reckoned with this year. His new track “Wishing”, produced by 20-4 and featuring grime pioneer and Lewisham icon Merky Ace, is the follow up to his 2016 hit “Wake Up” (a track truly rinsed on our Stella Beats show). With the Scottish scene also on the rise, FA has potential to become a legend in the game as long as he keeps coming through with tracks like this.

Slay – Manlike

After shout outs on Wiley’s new album as well as a strong end to the year with appearances at the Warehouse Project and in Red Bull’s “Grime Aside” as well as an upcoming event in Prague alongside leading Czech MC Smack, Slay releases “Manlike” produced by Pie Radio resident Kiel K1. Manlike is as solid a track as it gets. Even without having seen the video (out now on P110) or heard the track, listeners will know the bars. The “Big Like EA” hero definitely looks set to have a year worthy of the Manny Legend he is.

Feeemo – Pattern Yourself

Any Pie Radio listener will have heard the booming voice of Feeemo by now. After moving up from London, Feeemo has been welcomed by many in the Manchester scene, forming a solid alliance with the young and talented Aitch. This new track and video shows just what the MC has to offer. His aggressive yet playful bars exemplify his larger than life personality and a true love for the game. Feeemo is a future king for sure.

DJ Refreshing Beverage has been somewhat of a phenomenon within the grime community with figures such as dubstep god Kahn following him on SoundCloud. Perhaps grime’s first producer/DJ committed solely to comedy remixes, the mysterious DJ Ref Bev is a meme in his own right. Tracks such as “Pulse La Vida Loca” (a blend of Living La Vida Loca and Pulse X) and “Topper Top but every time they say ‘topper top’ it gets faster” (yes, it does what it says in the title) have many grime fans creasing. However, his latest remix “Bricks Astley” (a blend of S-X’s “Bricks” and Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”) is arguably his best yet. Aside from its humorous nature, the track actually sounds really good. Could we possibly be hearing Rick Astley shelling on a radio set any time soon? With Trump as president, who knows what might happen…

Aitch – Spray That

At just 17 years old, Aitch has achieved more in his career than many have 5 years his senior. Like his frequent collaborator Feeemo, Aitch’s love for the game really shines through. Aitch must also be credited for his professionality and work rate as there has been a consistent flow of quality videos released on his behalf. “Spray That”, released on P110, is the perfect example. Aitch’s cold flow and catchy bars more than make up for his youth with a high level of maturity. The kid is in for a long and very successful career if he keeps this up.

Two4Kay – 22 Bad Mind

The talent of Moss Side Artist/Producer Two4Kay really shines on his self-produced track “2 2 Bad Mind”. Influenced heavily by Dancehall, Afro Beats and Bashment, it’s difficult not to get down to this. Two4Kay has already shown signs of a very promising career with releases on GRM Daily as well as Link Up TV. Perhaps he is one of many Manchester artists to take the year by storm.

Fumez ft. Izzie Gibbs – Them Times

When it comes to work rate and a constant flow of quality tracks and videos, not many people throughout the country come close to Fumez. Widely regarded as one of the cities most talented MCs, Fumez has had the support of leading figures such as Rinse FM’s DJ Oneman and made multiple appearances at the Warehouse project as well as Parklife. “Them Times”, produced by WhyJay is a big release. The video, a SVMI production, has proved a hit across various platforms on social media. With Northampton grime don Izzie Gibbs featuring, what’s not to like about it?

Manchester Hypes – Ritalin [Dose 1]

It is fair to say Burst Gang are leading the way right now in the Manchester grime scene. In 2016 they supported US Rapper The Game, grime legend Ghetts as well as performing at Warehouse Project. With support from UK national treasure, The Streets’ Mike Skinner, the crew are looking like they are about to make it big. Hypes has been a stand out figure in the crew, gaining much praise as well Man of the Match in the Manchester vs Nottingham round of Red Bull’s “Grime Aside” series. Ritalin is the first of 3 doses being released as part a mixtape by the name of “Treatment”- something to very much look forward to this year.